Electrical signaling system.



I. L. MCQUARRIE) ELECTRICAL SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED N0 V. I5, I9I6- Patented Jan. 1,1918.

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1,251,797. Patented Jan. 1,1918.

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J. L. McQUARRlE. ELECTRICAL SIGNAUNG SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15. I916.

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-1. L. M cQUAR RlE. ELECTRIQAL SIGNALING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED NOV- l5| 1916.

1,251,797. Patented Jan. 1,1918;

5 SHBETS-BHEBTA.

James L M Qua/We;

UNITED STATES PATENT onnio JAMES L. MOQUARRIE, F MON'IGLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, INCOBPGRATED, OF NEW YORK, N. 35., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRICAL SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application filed November 15, 1916. Serial No. 131,455.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMEs L. MCQUARRIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Signaling Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to electrical signaling systems and has to do particularly with code signaling in telephone exchange systems.

The object of this invention is the rapid transmission and recording of signals.

In automatic and semi-automatic telephone systems, it has been the general practice to control the switching operations by a sender or calling device capable oftransmitting for each character or numeral of the subscribers number, signaling impulses varying in number from one to ten. That is, in such systems the combinations of impulses corresponding to the characters or numerals of a subscribers number usually differ from one another merely in the number of impulses comprising the combination. In such systems, the time required for transmitting the signaling impulses for different subscribers numbers either varies with the total number of impulses required for the signaling of the number, or, with all numbers, is the time required for sending the maximum number of impulses used for signaling any subscriber.

The present invention reduces the time required for sending the signaling impulses used in transmitting a subscribers number by employing impulses differing in character, which may be used individually or in combinations, differing from one another in the number and arrangement of the impulses of different character, thereby reducing the maximum number which may be sent at any time.

Generally stated, the invention consists in a method of and apparatus for signaling \vhichutilizes both alternating and direct current for transmitting impulses, and which employs means for regulating the sending of the impulses and for recording the combinations of them according to a numerical system.

For a complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the f0l- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a top view of the registering device employed; Fig.- 2 is a right-hand side elevation of the same; Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are details which will be described; Fig. 6 is a side view of the restoring magnet of the register; and Figs. 7 and 8 taken together, Fig. 8 being placed to the right of Fig. 7, are a diagrammatic representation of circuits and apparatus exemplifying and embodying the invention. i

The register consists of a frame 1 to which are secured certain stationary elements and which supports in proper organization certain movable elements. Forced into and rigidly .secured thereto is a bushing 2 carrying a set screw 4 for the purpose of holding in stationary association therewith a shaft 3. To the shaft 3 are rigidly secured by set screws similar to 1 the bushings 5, 6 and 7. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 3 are the disks 8, 9 and 10 secured to the bushings 5, 6 and 7 respectively, by the coiled springs 11, 12 and 13 which exert a force on the said disks to hold them in. a normal position and to cause them to move back into such a position when released from any operated position. Ratchet wheels 14;, 15 and 16, controlled by the magnets 17, 18 and 19, respectively, through the agency of stepping pawls such as 20, are rigidly secured to the disks 8, 9 and 10, respectively, and are instrumental in moving the same to a selected po sition. Each movement of the pawl 20, associated with the armature of relay 17, will thereby move ratchet wheel 14: and its associated disk 11 forward one step.

The disks 8, 9 and 10 are provided with notches, such as 21, around their periphery, and intowhich the rods 22, 23, 24, are adapted to fall when the disk 8 is so positioned that notch 21 is moved under one of these rods. The rod 22, as an example, is pivotally secured at either end to the frame 1, and has mounted on it a member 26, secured thereto by a set screw 27, and carrying an insulated knob 28. In its normal position knob 28 rests against a set of contact springs 29, holding them in an opened position. When the rod 22 falls into the notch 21, the knob 28 is so moved that the contacts 29 are closed.

A somewhat similar set of contact springs 30 is operated through the agency of a rod 31, which, instead of falling into. a notch,

-8 and 9 of the .register.

rises on a projection 32 in the off-normal position of the disk 8, thereby closing the normally open contact 30.

The disks 8, 9 and 10 are so arranged that in order for any set of springs 29 to be actuated, the rod 22 must fall into a notch 21 in eachone of these disks, and'turther tion in which it is set under the control of pawl 20. Rod 36, under the control of a release magnet 37 through its armature 38, is arranged to move the pawl 33 out'of engagementwith the ratchet wheel let, and allow the latterand its associated disk 8 to return to a normal position.

Mounted on the disk 10 is an insulated knob 39 to control the off-normal contacts 410.. It should be noted that these oil-normal contacts d0 are actuated by a movement of only one disk 10, and that no similar contacts are provided for the other two disks It should also be noted that the oil-normal contacts 30 are under the control'of either disk 8, 9 or 10, or any combination of these disks in their actuated positions. The functions of these oi'iF-normal contacts will be described later.

Secured to the armature 38 of release magnet 37 is a member ail carrying an insulated knob 42, to actuate the normally open set of contacts 43 used in the circuit of releasing magnet 87.

Theoperation of such a register will best be understood by a description of the circuits and apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

In Fig. 7, S represents a subscribers subset connected through the proper apparatus to receive and transmit signaling impulses. In Fig. 8, registersfor recording these impulses are shown.

Contacts 50, 51, 52 and 53 in the subscribers subset S belong to a dial switch or impulse transmitter. Contacts 50 and 51 are adapted to be rapidly opened, either one at a time, in various selected sequences. Contacts 52 and 53 are oft-normal contacts adapted to be thrown in their alternate positions by cam 70, when either'contact 50 or 51 is opened by the movement of lever '71.

Brushes 54c and 55, resting on terminals 56 and 57, represent a train of switches through which the connection between the subscribers substation and the central: ofiice impulse receiving device is set-11 58 represents an alternating current generator 59, and its associated condenser 60, a relay which will respond to either alternating or direct current. 63 represents a relay operated'by direct current, and which will not respond to the flow of alternating current.

life will assume that the subscriber has removedhisreceiver from its switchhook, and

that the connection to the apparatus shown has been established. Alternating current will thereupon flow through the circuit from ground, alternating current generator 58, alternating-current relay'59, brush 5%, terminal 56, contact 50, normal contact oi springs "52, transmitterT, contact of switchhook H, primary winding of induction coil 1, terminal 5?, brush 55, to' the junction point 61, and thence through condenser 62 to ground; A parallel circuit. from the junction point 61', through. the relay-63 and grounded battery, afiords a path for alternating current, but. the relay 63 will not respond to such a current flow. Direct current, however, will flow through the latter circuit, finding a path back through the cir denser 64, contact 53, terminal 57, brush 55,

to the junction point 61, and thence through condenser 62 to ground,'through which circuit alternating current alone will flow. The introduction of the impedance of condenser Gst into the substation circuit precludes the operation of relay 63.

e will assume that the sequence switch SS has other functions to perform besides those indicated on the drawing, and'that in setting up the connection shown herein these functions are performed while it is moving into position 6, where it is awaiting receipt of impulses sent out from the subscribers substation for the purpose of setting up a connection to anothersubscribers substation. For the purpose of this disclosure the movement of the sequence switch from the first to the sixth position is shown in an arbitrary manner, it being accomplished through a circuit established on the first .energization ofrelay 59, from ground, left hand armature. and alternate contactof relay 59, sequence switch contact 72in thefirst position, motor magnet of sequence switch .SS tobattery and ground. The sequence e will further assume that the-party at substation S wishes to make a connection to another party whose number is M60; Moreover, we will assume that the impulse-trans mitting and impulse-recording apparatus is so arranged that the sequence of impulses needed for recording the digit 1 will be 1 opening and closure of con tact 51;

2 will be 1 opening and closure of contact 50;

3 will be 2 tact 51;

1 will be 2 openings and closures of contact 50;

5 will be 1 opening and closure of contact 51 followed by 1 opening and closure of contact 50;

6 will be 1 opening and closure of contact 51 followed by 2 openings and closures of contact 50;

7 will be 3 openings and closures of con tact 51; r

8 will be 3 openings and closures of contact 50; I

9 will be 2 openings and closures of contact 51, followed by 1 opening and closure of contact 50;

0 will be 2 openings and closures of contact 50, followed by 1 opening and closure of contact 51. I

The subscriber now proceeds, by means of his dial switch, to send out these impulses. Upon the first rapid break of the contact 51, relay 63 will become deenergized, and a circuit set up from ground, left-hand armature openings and closures of conand contact of relay 63, winding of slow release relay to grounded battery. Relay 65 attracts its armature and closes a circuit from ground, armature and alternate contact of relay 65, sequence switch contact 66 in its 6th position to magnet SS and grounded battery. The sequence switch moves under control of its contact A into the 7th position.

At the same time a circuit is set up from ground. right-hand armature and'contact of relay 63, sequence switch contact 68 in its 6th and 7th positions, to a circuit which divides and goes in one direction through the winding of relay 117 to grounded battery, and in the other direction through offnormal contact 1&0 and rear winding of relay 118 to grounded battery. Relays 117 and 11S become energized and act to rotate disks 108 and 109 each one step forward, thereby causing the contacts of the first set of springs 29 to be closed.

At the termination of this series of impulses a pause ensues, during which time both relays 59 and 63 are energized. Slowrelease relay 65 thereupon retracts its armature, and sets up a circuit from ground, ar-

mature and normal contact of relay 65, se-' quence switch contact 66 in its 7th position to sequence switch magnet SS and grounded battery. The sequence switch thereupon moves under control of its A contact into the 8th position.

The train of impulses now sent out by the subscribers' substation S for setting up the hundreds digit at consists, asstated, of two openings and closures of the contact 50. Upon the first opening of this contact, both relays 59 and 63 retract their armatures, setting up thereby acircuit from ground, lefthand armature and contact of relay 59, and a parallel circuit from ground, left-hand armature and contact of relay 63 to the wind ing of slow-release relay 65 and grounded battery. The consequent energization of re lay 65 sets up a circuit from ground, armature and contact of relay 65, sequence switch contact 66 in its 8th position, sequence switch magnet SS to grounded battery. The sequence switch thereupon moves under control of its A contact into the 9th position.

At the same time, a circuit is set up from ground, right-l1and armature and contact of relay 59, sequence switch contact 67 in its 8th and 9th positions, to a circuit which dirides and goes in one direction through the winding of magnet 219 to grounded battery, and in the other direction through the front winding of magnet 218 to grounded battery. A third circuit is set up from ground, left hand armature and contact of relay 63, sequence switch contact 68 in its 8th and 9th positions to a circuit which divides and goes in one direction through the "winding of magnet 217 to grounded battery, and in the other direction through off-normal contact 240, rear winding of magnet 218 to ground ed battery. Magnets 217 218 and 219, becoming energized, move disks 208, 209 and 210 forward one step each. Upon the second impulse of this train, the action just described will be repeated so that each disk will finally be moved forward two steps, and the fourth set of springs 29 closed thereby.

' The pause ensuing between the sending of the train of impulses for setting up the digit 4- and the train of impulses for setting up the digit 6 is sufiicient'to allow slow-release relay 65 to retract its armature. sults in the establishment of a circuit from ground, armature and normal contact of re lay 65, sequence switch contact 66 in its 9th position, sequence switch magnet SS to grounded battery. The sequence switch moves under the control of its A' contact into the 10th position,

The tens train of impulses will be, as before stated, one openingand closure of the contact 51,'followed by two openings and closures ofthe contact 50. The first of this train of impulses results in the energization of relay 65 in a manner similar to This rethat heretofore described. A circuit is set up from ground, armature and alternate contact of relay 65, sequence switch contact 66 in its10thposition, sequence switch magnet SS to grounded battery. The sequence switch moves, under the control of its A contact, into the 11th position. The deenergization of relay 63 also sets'up a circuit from ground, right-hand armature and contact of relay 63, sequence switch contact 68 in its 10th and 11th positions, to a circuit which divides and goes in one direction through magnet 317 to-grounded battery, and in the other direction through the off normal contact 340 and rear winding of magnet 318 to grounded battery. 'Magnets 317 and 31S act to impel disks 308 and 309 forward one step each.

The second and thirdof this train of impulses result in the deenergization ofbo-th relays 63 and 59. Two circuits are therefore set up, one from ground, right-hand armature and contact of relay 59, sequence switch contact 67 in its 10th and 11th positions, to a-circuit which dividesand goes in one direction through magnet 319 to grounded. battery, and in the other directiOn through the forwardwinding of magnet318 to grounded battery, and the second from ground, right-hand armatureand contact. of relay 63, sequence switch contact 68 in its 10th and 11th positions, to a circuit which divides and goes in one direction through magnet 317 to grounded battery, and in-the other direction through 01%- normal contact 340 and the rear winding of magnet 318to grounded battery. The last two of the tens train of impulses therefore impel the disks 308 and 309 each forward theirsecond and third steps, and the disk 310 forward its first and second steps. This combination of positions on the part of these disks results in the closure of the sixth set of contacts 29.

A pause now ensues between the sending of the train of impulses forsetting up the digit 6 and the train of impulses for setting up the digit 0, during which the slow-release relay 65 retracts its armature. A circuit is thereupon established from ground, armature and normal contact of relay 65, sequence switchcontact 66 in its 11th position, sequence switch magnet SS to grounded battery. The sequence switch moves under the control of its A contact into the 12th position.

The train of impulses for setting up the digit 0 has been stated to-be two openings and closures of the contact 50', followed by one opening and closure ofthecontact 51. The first of these results in the deenergiza, tion of both relays 59 and 63, and the consequent energization of relay 65. A circuit is thereupon established from ground-,armature and contact ofrelay 65, sequence switch contact 66 inits 12th position, sequence switch magnet SS, to grounded battery. Thesequence switch moves under the control ofits Acontact into the 13th position.

At the same time, a'circuit is setup from ground,- right-hand armature and contact of. relay 59,.sequenceswitch contact 67 in its 12th and 13th positions, to a circuit which die vides and goes in one-direction through the winding of .magnet 419' to grounded battery, and in the other direction through the for? ward winding of relay-418 to groundedbattery. A second circuit is established from ground, right-hand armature. and contact'of relay 63, sequence switch contact 68 in'its 12th and 13th positions, to a'circuit which divides and goes in one direction through the winding of magnet 417'to grounded battery, and in the other'direction throughthe off-normal contact 440 and the rear winding of magnet 418 to grounded battery. Magnets 417, 418' and 419 areenergized and act. to step the disks 408, 409 and 410 each forward one step.

A second of this units train of impulses results in a repetition of the above described action. A third impulse results in the deenergization of relay 63 only, whereupon a ircuit is. set up from'ground, right-hand armature and contact of relay 63, sequence switch contact 68 in its12th and 13th positions to a circuit which. travels now only through the winding of magnet 417 to grounded battery. Aparallel circuit around magnet 417 was opened in the first step of disk 410, at the off-normal contacts 440, and therefore magnet 417 is the only one now to step its-disk forward. These steps on the part of. disks 408, 409 and 410 result-in the closure of the 0 set of'co-ntacts 29.

At the end of this train of impulses, relays 63 and 59 are energized, and the circuit for slow-release relay 65 being open at the contacts and left-hand armatures of both these relays, relay 65 retracts its armature and sets up a circuit from ground, armature and normal contact of relay 65, sequence switch contact 66in its 13th position, sequence switch magnet-SS to grounded battery. The sequence switch moves under the control of its A contact into the 14th position.

WVe willnow assume that the further conduct of the call proceedsin a manner well known to one skilledin the art, that is, the. combination of contacts closedin the register is utilized in sending revertiveimpulse back to the selecting and connecting switches, and results in the proper establishment of the connection. In the 14th positionacircuit is established and'maintained through the 15th position from ground, sequence switch contact 66 to the sequence switch magnet SS and grounded; battery,,-. whereuponthe sequencer; switch;

moves under the control of its A contact into the 16th position. It may be assumed that by this time the connections set up in the register have been utilized in the establishment of the connection, and that the release of the same is in order.

A circuit is set up from ground, sequence switch contact 69 in its 16th position, winding of release magnet 87 to grounded battery. The release magnet attracts its armature 38, thereby closing a locking circuit for itself from grounded battery, winding of magnet 37, through the forward set of springs 43 operated by the armature 38, to the ofi-normal contacts 30, 230, 330 and 4:30 to ground, which circuit will be maintained until each one of these several oft-normal contacts has been restored to its normal position. The attraction of armature 38, by the magnet 37, moves the rod 36 in such a manner that the pawl 3a is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 14:, and causes the return of the disk 110 and all other similar disks concerned in the setting up of this particular call back to their normal positions.

The operation of release magnet 37 closes through the rear set of contacts 43 a circuit from ground, sequence switch contact 66 in its 16th position, sequence switch magnet SS to grounded battery, whereupon the sequence switch move under the control of its contact A into the 17th position.

Other movements of a sequence switch are concerned in the further establishment of the call and will not be described here, as they are well known and are not necessary to a clear understanding of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signaling system, a line circuit extending between stations, sources of both alternating and direct current supplying said line circuit, means at one station for interrupting said circuit and for interposing therein an impedance, and means at the other station for registering individually the impulses thus produced and for recording combinations of such impulses.

2. In a signaling system, a line circuit extending between stations, sources of both alternating and direct current at one station supplying said line circuit, means at the other station for interrupting said circuit and for interposing therein an impedance, and means at the first-mentioned station for registering individually the impulses thus produced and for recording combinations of such impulses.

8. In a signaling system, a line circuit extending between stations, sources of both alternating and direct current supplying said line circuit, means at one station for momentarily interrupting said circuit and for momentarily interposing therein an impedance so as to produce impulses of different character arranged in combinations, and apparatus at the other station responsive to the impulses thus produced in the circuit for registering them individually and for recording the combinations of said impulses according to a numerical system.

4-. In a signaling system, a line circuit extending between stations, sources of both alternating and direct current supplying said'line circuit, means at one station for producing in said circuit combinations of impulses by interruptions of the circuit and by interposing therein an impedance, and means at the other station for registering each impulse individually and recording each combination of impulses comprising a plurality of electrically operated devices both responsive to the impulses caused by interrupting said circuit and one also responsive to the impulses resulting from the interposition in said circuit of said impedance, registers controlled by said devices, each register being arranged to record a combination of impulses, and means for connecting said registers successively with said devices.

5. In a signaling system, a line circuit extending between stations, sources of both alternating and direct current associated with said line circuit, means at one station for producing in said circuit combinations of impulses by interruptions of the circuit and by interposing therein an impedance, means at the other station for registering each impulse individually and for recording each combination of impulses, said means comprising a plurality of electrically operated devices responsive to the impulses caused by interrupting said circuit, and one also responsive to the impulses resulting from the interposition in said circuit of said im pedance, registers comprising a combination of sets of contact springs, disks and controlling magnets so arranged that only one of said sets of contact springs may be actuated at a time under control of said disks, said controlling magnets being controlled by said devices to record a combination of impulses, and means for connecting said registers successively with said devices.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day of November, A. D.

JAMES L. MCQUARRIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

